ECONOMICS: Slow Motion

Drastic increase of Ruhr coal and steel
production was the indispensable first step to make the Marshall plan
for western Europe a working reality. But there were three snags dead
ahead: French fear of a revived Germany, lack of capital for Ruhr
reconstruction, the British Labor Government's insistence on
nationalization, which the U.S. maintains should be deferred. Last week
a little progress was reported in clearing these blocks:

¶ French
Communists were tirelessly playing on French fear of a strong Germany.
But Foreign Minister Georges Bidault, bolstered by a recent vote of
confidence, was reportedly willing to discuss a U.S. proposal...